Police warn of spike in shopping trolley bag thefts

Police are investigating a spate of wallet and bag thefts from shopping centres in Mackay.

Sergeant Nigel Dalton says there have been at least 10 reports since late December, which he says is a very high number for a short period of time.

He says thieves are stealing valuables and keys and then dumping the bag.

Sergeant Dalton is urging people not to put their address on their car keys.

"A lot of people are putting things like their address on their car keys on a key fob and that's not good because if you do lose them and they get into the wrong hands then they've got access to your house," he said.

"Whilst you're searching around the shopping centre looking for your car keys, they could be searching around your house for valuable property to steal."

Sergeant Dalton says the items are generally left in trolleys while people do their shopping.

"I think it can be as little as a couple of seconds but obviously someone might be reading the label of a product, checking what's in it and what they can have and so on but I think the opportunist is watching each time that they browse and just taking that opportunity when it arises," he said.

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.